The average number of photons present in a single-mode squeezed state as function of the mean free path

In this paper, we define a new weight function to represent a single-mode squeezed state. By means of this function, we shall be enabled to construct an interesting relationship between the total mean number of photons occupied a single-mode squeezed state and the mean free path of the atoms of the medium through which the natural light is diffused. This relationship assures the possibility to measure experimentally the average number of photons present in a single-mode squeezed state. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.